CCK Struggles Ahead of Its Presidential Election
2014-01-09 17:45
The Christian Council of Korea (CCK) decided to expel Korea World Missions Association (KWMA, President: Rev. Kang Seung-sam) and Koryeo General Assembly of Presbyterian Church Korea (PCK Koryeo GA, President: Rev. Cheon Hwan), both of which had applied for withdrawal from CCK. As for Christian Broadcasting System (CBS), CCK decided to request the government to ban CBS broadcasting as punishment for its denunciation of pastors. CCK’s move is being criticized as going too far in the attempt to quiet opposing voices.
At its no. 24-14 urgent officers’ meeting, CCK also admitted PCK Biblical Conservatives General Assembly (President: Elder Jeong Won-shik), to which Rev. Park Yun-shik belongs; Biblical Conservatives Reformed Church Organizations Association (President: Rev. Cho Yeong-yeop); and PCK Reform General Assembly. The names of KWMA and PCK-KGA were stricken from the CCK roster, in response to which Secretary General of KWMA Han Jeong-guk commented, “All we wanted was a quiet withdrawal because we respect CCK as a coalition. We are very surprised at the decision to expel us.”
As for the six persons who filed a lawsuit opposing the results of the temporary general assembly on the 26th of last month, CCK decided first to recommend that they withdraw the lawsuit, and later to examine whether to expel them if they do not accept that recommendation.
CCK also decided that it will receive a signature or public announcement from Rev. Eom Gi-ho of Assemblies of God of Korea (Yoido Full Gospel) that he does not support the World Council of Churches (WCC), according to a CCK provision on membership qualification. Rev. Eom had registered the day before to run in the presidential election on January 21. Rev. Eom said in a phone conversation with Kukmin Daily, “My denomination is not a member of WCC, nor have I personally participated in or related to WCC. I will sign the memorandum as soon as it arrives from CCK.”
Meanwhile, board members and pastors of the expelled organization and denomination met with media reporters at Novotel Ambassador Hotel in Doksandong, Seoul, and said, “CCK’s decision to expel us for leading an illegal disruption is blatant defamation. We will ask them to take civil and criminal responsibility if they do not cancel the expulsion.”
Reporter Yeong Dae Yoo (ydyoo@kmib.co.kr), Yeara Ahn-Park (yap@kmib.co.kr)
Click here for the original article in Korean
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